Notley updates work going on in Fort McMurray

Premier Rachel Notley provides an update on the Fort McMurray wildfire on May 16, 2016

Air quality is one of the biggest issued in the RMWB right now.

At a press conference this morning, Premier Rachel Notley said the air quality index is extreme, sitting at 38 on a scale that usually runs from 1 to 10.

Response personnel already working there are using respiratory precautions.

Notley says electricity is returned to most of Fort McMurray with gas service restored to about 50 per cent of the city.

The water treatment plant is working but the boil water order continues.

The landfill is back in operation and tremendous progress has been made on damage assessments and continues and high level overview maps available through social media.

The premier is urging people to use mental health supports.

Notley says AHS has a four phase plan with the first part completed. An urgent care centre is set up at the Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre and is fully operational, having treated its first patients already.

Next to be set up is an ER department and detailed cleaning is getting under way.

The Premier says 100 truckloads of fencing on it’s way to Fort McMurray and needs to be set up around specified areas for safety.

She says she will be meeting with RMWB council today to discuss the re-entry process.

Notley says 27,736 debit cards have been distributed as of yesterday, helping more than 58 thousand people.

The two Calgary centres have been consolidated and the Lac La Biche centre closed as Alberta Works has taken over in that community.

Line-ups are short and brisk at evacuation centres for debit card retrieval.

Notley says 800 to 900 staff and countless volunteers have been involved in helping evacuees get the aid they need.